mjoakes

Not sure I am honoring "trope," but here is another element that has become pretty cliche. And of course, cliche for me, anyway: the whole corp starting or finishing lying down. Okay, so Santa Clara V did it pretty well last year.

There's a foot or knee twist that everyone seems to be doing. It's not just a Bluecoats thing. Watching video of the last few years of finals during December holidays, I remember thinking that small move must be a requirement or something. Like presenting the colors used to be. The prance + smile of a guard member. Really respect what they do. But after a great toss and spin, that obligatory smile to the crowd makes me feel like I am at a circus.

June 22 in Indy. Then Evansville and Muncie. Then seeing how things have progressed at Minneapolis and San Antonio. Then trying to hear the music during finals week at LOS in between the nacho crunches.

Once again, I predict this will be true because I want it to be. More seriously, it's great to hear from tesmusic (and another poster or two?) when they reference hearing some of the music or visiting the Madison camp. Tidbits of evidence to get excited about.

Several weeks ago, I finished Building the Green Machine: Don Warren and Sixty Years With the World Champion Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. (Here at Amazon.) It's a nice read, full of history and background not just on the Cavaliers, but on early drum corps developments generally. Of course it is Cavalier-centric, however, and rich with Cavalier traditions and the sense of brotherhood that corps inspires. Alumni profess their genuinely life-changing experiences marching with the corps. I wonder, though, is there something in the drum corps experience that differentiates it from other intense group experiences during those late teen years. For example, is the comradery in drum corps something different from what guys might experience on a high school baseball team battling successfully through early summer conference tournaments, sectionals, regionals, and state championships? Drum corps participation appears to help develop teamwork skills, leadership, and self-discipline. In addition to the specific musical and artistic talent. Is there something else that is unique to the experience? Is there a connection between drum corps participation and later professional development that is tough to find in other activities? Not at all trying to diminish the drum corps experience. With respect to later professional (or maybe, even personal development), I wonder if there is something specific to point to in drum corps that likely can't be matched by other experiences.

Have wanted to ask this question for a month. But it seems like the kind of direct inquiry that only a Yoda-like figure (Thanks, BRASSO) can ask.

The link to the post is below. You commented, They're bad enough when they are sober. Haven't you been reading these threads???? I remembered it as funny, xandandl. And didn't mean the reference to it here as criticism. (Though I might have bothered to look it up before the recent post.) As more time has passed, I now think of it as both funny and poignant.

This looks like a pretty safe prediction, based on a casual viewing of history, warping out three years: 2017 - Blue Devils #1 2018 - Blue Devils #1 2019 - Someone else #1

A good set of predictions. For the entirely sensible reasons that I like where you placed my favorite corps and because I am not especially enamored of The Academy. (Loved their 2016 show, however.)

I don't need any confirming evidence or proof. I will happily accept this as true. Very much looking Forward - see how I worked that word in here? - to a great summer from the Scouts.

Yep. But one reason why I like forums (here and elsewhere) is for perspectives and ways of thinking from others. Even if I think the critical thinking is a weak. Which is a nice way of saying, even when I think some perspectives are silly. Some forum topics suggest a need for facts and evidence more than others. But even those things are way open for debate and interpretation. Early in posting life at DCP, I wondered if DCP forums people ever meet up for a cocktail hour during finals week. xandandl responded with something like I must be crazy. (Apologies that I didn't trace back to the post.) I better understand that comment now. And that is haha.

I feel for you in the issue at hand. Really. But if conjecture is off the table, and if proof or direct-from-source info is required, then these forum will grow very quiet.

My mid-September notice on the Super 3 package says tickets for this package will be mailed out by end January. So I think there is an early deadline for the Super 3 - Sep or Oct 1? - and it isn't offered now. (But I haven't received my tickets. Should I be surprised DCI doesn't get that right?) A couple of mild tips: Spend the money to stay downtown near Lucas Oil. It's convenient, there is much to do, and you and the family will feel part of something. For Prelims and Semifinals, go early to see the first corps and stay to the last. Obviously, many of the early corps at Prelims are not in contention for the final 12, but they are still much fun to watch and hear. And the members in them work as hard as the members performing finals night.

Thanks for the nice thoughts, xandandl. I'll think more seriously about jumping in. Madison's camp at Trafalgar is only about 45 minutes away.

The "clash" idea just doesn't seem to work. More than that, it's unrealistic - targeting in advance a season-long competitive tug-of-war between just two corps. Following two corps and contrasting their strategies, personalities, experiences, and performances seems fine and interesting enough. And if that were the case, it could be any two corps of interest - BD and The Academy; SCV and Cavies; Crown and Scouts. Etc. Plenty of contrasting story lines no matter who they choose.

I hear ya. I didn't march in 1970s because I couldn't afford not to work summers. Now, however, the age and some greater flexibility in time and resources mean I can recharge my interest in drum corps. And I possibly have some professional experiences that matter. But yeah, there is a bit of who am I to volunteer when I can't tell war stories from the 1979 tour.

Cool idea. Sorry I can't contribute. But good luck. And great for starting this thread, since it sent me to some memorable 27th photos. And I remembered: Crown Imperial!

This is fun. Sort of. Why do so many people assume their own preferences and reactions to things must then be projected as true more generally to the larger population?

This. So be tolerant and give people some space to explore, think, and express. Even if you don't agree with everything.

I agree. Wonder that it might have been a tough decision. Surely some emotion involved, appeals to tradition, the angst of change. But I'm impressed. Moving toward a smart, visionary, contemporary, sustainable organization is a great way to honor Scouts tradition and legacies.

If it doesn't take the thread too far off course, can someone provide some background on the Scouts in 2007? I don't follow this at all.

Thanks for thinking to post this. Nice heads up for something on iTunes or Netflix.

Interesting idea. It's something that an independent person/group/org could do. Just to make public the info and see what it might reveal.

BD Crown SCV Bluecoats Cavaliers Cadets Madison Phantom Blue Knights Blue Stars The Academy Boston I’m trying to work through my BD issues. Another clean, simple, but powerful show. The entire corps (including pit) will do the bottle dance. Using only holograms and no live mms on the field will be startling, but they will score high on GE. Just because. Grudgingly even this, after the statue mess. Because a good office pool lineup needs something bold and unexpected. Plus, I am encouraged by some excitement in the Madison thread. Genuinely sorry about this. Still a little put off by that lamp lady floating aimlessly around the field. (But also still really liked the music!) They just seem nice and 9-10-11 ish. More something-different strategy to boost my odds. They’re sort of like Gonzaga (NCAA) of several years ago. Was going to be Crossmen, but (a) 2016 prop karma will hurt Crossmen chances, just as it will for Cadets and Blue Knights, and (b) I am fearful of pushing too hard on the BAC fans here on DCP.